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6449%>â€" 96 King St. South, Waterloo 886â€"1320 G299° PENTAX 12%18 =â€" §1 FROM: DIGITA CD, 3.5" FLOPP foto source EXIII_‘BSS bus is;ue re_turns to regional council for final approval The plan for the Central Transit Corridor (CTC) Express Bus service is expected to be approved at regional council on March 23. esidents should have a Rmore efficient way of travelling between the region‘s three busiest cenâ€" tres as of September. The service is anticipated to be a fast, limitedâ€"stop bus route that will connect Cambridge to Kitchener and Waterloo, linking universiâ€" ties, shopping malls and downtown districts. "I think the express bus service responds to conâ€" 6398 By Juuianna Kerr For The Chronicle See The Difference. cerns of people working and needing to get around all three cities much more easiâ€" ly," said Regional Chair Ken Seiling. "We want a speedier connection for people. It‘s also an opportunity for peoâ€" ple not to be so dependent on vehicles and it‘s more feasible for those without cars." Regional transit planner Blair Allen said the express bus is part of the Urban Transportation Showcase Program (UTSP), initiated by Transport Canada to develop better planning and practices for transportation and land use. One of its key goals is to find new and innovative solutions to help reduce greenhouse gases Transportation, accordâ€" ing to the government, is a key component of its strateâ€" gy. as it accounts for about a quarter of the country‘s greenhouse gas emissions, of which, about twoâ€"thirds originate in urban areas. "The region has focused efforts around the CTC bus project, which will connect the three cities," Allen said. "It will increase the speed of buses with fewer stops, which will reduce the travelâ€" ling time in the region. And it will encourage people to use public transit and there will be less car use. This improvement in travel time allows us to be much more competitive with the autoâ€" mobile." The region took its CTC express service plans to the public, seeking input about route options and concerns about transit. "Travel time and reliabiliâ€" ty seem to be the key things that people want," Allen said. "We‘re pretty excited about it as an opportunity to build up ridership. But the only way it‘s going to work is if transit becomes more viable. The feedback from the public has been good." Express service, set to begin the Tuesday after Labour Day, is expected to run Monday io Friday between about 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., with a 15â€"minute freâ€" quency during peak periods and a 30â€"minute frequency during offâ€"peak times. It will travel between south Cambridge and north Waterloo. The funds required for the project are included in the region‘s approved 2005 operating budget and 10â€" year capital forecast. The project is in keeping with the region‘s growth strategy. Allen said priority meaâ€" sures will be used to help buses move more quickly along the corridor. Among suggestions are priority sigâ€" nals and separate bus lanes. Express stations will also attempt to increase rider convenience by connecting existing routes with walking and cycling paths. Stations are expected to have bike lockers and racks. departure information and other current transit inforâ€" mation. Buses are also expected to have bike racks for added convenience. The region‘s plan was selected as one of eight across Canada to receive funding from Transport Canada.